Charles Rennie Mackintosh Ingram Chair
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer
20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1980s British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Leather, Cherry
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Italian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Ash
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Side Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Late 20th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Italian Benches
Ash
Late 20th Century Italian Dining Room Sets
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
20th Century Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1970s British Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Ash
British Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century British Art Nouveau Side Chairs
Oak
People Also Browsed
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
2010s Turkish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal, Steel, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
20th Century Belgian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Glass, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
2010s American Organic Modern Flush Mount
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Benches
Cedar
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
2010s Dutch Modern Side Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.